Religious Liberty

“According to local media, Dumdaw Nawng Latt and his nephew Langjaw Gam Seng, both pastors in the Kachin Baptist Convention, were among more than 8,500 prisoners ordered released by newly elected President Win Myint.” BNG

“Navy officials are investigating complaints about the placement of a Bible in a public display about POW/MIAs at the U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, the service’s largest overseas medical facility.” RNS

“The Rwandan government has been clamping down on religious leaders and churches. Over 700 churches and 100 mosques have been ordered to close. The government has arrested six pastors for ‘illegal meetings with bad intentions.’ This is in direct contradiction to Rwandan law that states that there can be no interference with the freedom of worship.” WRNews

“A U.S. Air Force colonel and devout Christian suspended and denied promotion after refusing to affirm same-sex marriage has won a legal appeal to reverse the disciplinary actions against him.” BPNews

“The part of tax law that prohibits houses of worship from engaging in explicit political activity will remain intact for now, despite concerns that Republican lawmakers would try to repeal it in the latest massive federal spending bill they released this week.” RNS

“California’s law faced its Supreme Court test. While one must always exercise caution in predicting case outcomes, the argument very effectively highlighted California’s extremism, and Justices Samuel Alito and Anothony Kennedy were the principal inquisitors.” National Review

“Communism is not, fundamentally, about a certain menu of economic theories or political tactics.” PowerBlog

“A proposed law in California could outlaw helping people with unwanted same-sex attraction or gender-identity confusion. If passed, the bill, introduced last month by Assemblyman Evan Low, would be the most expansive ban on therapy related to sexual orientation and gender in the country.” BPNews

“The Oklahoma state senate will soon be voting on Senate Bill 1140. This new bill will allow private adoption agencies to use their personal moral and religious convictions to decide if a potential adopter is acceptable.” WRN

“According to the High Court, those who hide their religious affiliations are equivalent to those who betray the state. Due to this reason, it was important for people who want government jobs to proclaim their faith.” RNS